Will primary voters stick with parties through general election?

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Early voting for primary elections began Tuesday.

Texas is an open primary state where voters are free to participate in any party's primary. For some, there's an aspect of that system that causes concerns.

Elections supervisors say there's no way to tell a voter's intentions. Are they casting a ballot because they support that candidate, or are they looking for an advantage in the upcoming general election?

This is called party raiding, vote raiding, or crossover voting.

Voters cross party lines in an attempt to choose the opponent of their preferred candidate in the upcoming fall election.

Elections officials say every two years, voters can choose which party they want to support.

Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza said primary elections are just the first step in the process.

“This is a nominating election. And so, you know, people are participating with parties and supporting candidates at this stage in hopes that in November, they’ll be on the November ballot," Garza said.

In 2020, the voter participation rate was significantly higher. So far, early voting numbers in the Democratic primary resemble the numbers for 2022.

Garza said he's seeing bigger numbers across the aisle.

“The Republican side is showing some strong participation. Which is encouraging, because know both parties are having you know, more people voting. It’s going to increase our overall turnout,” Garza said.

There is no way to see if those voters will stick with the GOP through the general election. Voters in November aren't obligated to support the same party they voted for in the primary.

Voters may support a party where the primary serves as the de facto general election.

“There’s non-competitive races in November for some of our local offices. So they’ll choose a party they’re not necessarily fully supporting on a November ballot. But they’ll participate in the other party’s primary because they want to have a voice in who those ultimate office holders are going to be,” Garza said.

Garza reminds voters that if a primary election goes to a run-off voters have to vote in that same party's election. He said if you choose a team, you have to stick with them through the playoffs.

If voters didn't participate in the first round of primaries, they're free to vote with any party they choose.

Early voting ends Friday, March 1.

Election day is Tuesday, March 5.